Melbourne have toppled the Western Bulldogs again, winning a topsy-turvy grand-final rematch by 26 points in the AFL season-opener at the MCG.
The Demons stormed out of the blocks on a night when they unfurled their first premiership flag in 57 years, with the first-half playing out in eerily similar circumstances to last year’s decider.
After booting the first four goals of the match, Melbourne then had to withstand a blistering surge as the Bulldogs piled on the next eight majors.
But just as they did several times in 2021, the Demons’ stars turned the game around in quick fashion to kick off their premiership defence in style, prevailing 14.13 (97) to 11.5 (71) in front of 58,002 fans.
The parochial Demons crowd was treated to scintillating football in-person, after having to watch Melbourne’s magical run to the premiership while in lockdown.
After having a quiet first-half, captain Max Gawn stepped up when the game was on the line, nailing a crucial set-shot from beyond 50m midway through the final quarter.
Hardnut James Harmes then sealed the result for the Demons, converting from point-blank range after bringing down a terrific mark.
Christian Petracca almost matched his Norm Smith Medal-winning performance, gathering 38 possessions and booting two goals to be the most influential player on the ground.
There could be more improvement in the forward line, with full forward Ben Brown in tremendous touch by kicking four goals after a sluggish start to his first season with the Demons in 2021.
The Bulldogs battled bravely and hung in far better than they did in the grand final when they conceded 16 of the last 17 goals, but were still outclassed.
Aaron Naughton flew out of the blocks, booting four goals in an imposing performance from the strong-marking Bulldogs forward.
Coach Luke Beveridge has more concerns than just the defeat, with captain Marcus Bontempelli struggling with an ankle injury.
Runner-up in last year’s Brownlow Medal, Bontempelli twice went off the ground in the third quarter to receive medical attention.
But the Bulldogs superstar was able to return to the ground, kicking a vital goal in the final term and running out the game, but was clearly hampered by the injury issue.
It came after bizarre pre-match circumstances when midfielder Lachie Hunter was demoted to medical sub, before coming back into the starting-22 just 10 minutes before the match when Jason Johannisen was a late withdrawal.
Beveridge had bristled at a report earlier in the week claiming premiership player Hunter would be left out due to his poor form.
The Demons will be sweating on the fitness of half-back Christian Salem (knee), who was subbed out for Toby Bedford in the first quarter.
“It was a pretty amazing night,” Petracca said.
“It’s so amazing to see Melbournians back at the G.”
“It was a pretty similar game to the grand final. First quarter we started well and we knew they were going to come back. I thought our backs were unbelievable.”
Earlier, Melbourne unfurled their first premiership flag since 1964.
After breaking their 57-year title drought in Perth last September when the city of Melbourne was in lockdown, the Demons were finally able to celebrate with supporters on Wednesday night.
Melbourne only played a handful of games before fans in the stands at their MCG base during their superb 2021 campaign.
Demons legends Hassa Mann, Greg Wells, Stan Alves, Garry Lyon, Todd Viney, games record-holder David Neitz and recently retired Nathan Jones all took part in hoisting the flag.
But the man who received the biggest roar was AFL legend Ron Barassi, Melbourne’s most recent premiership captain until Max Gawn took that honour from him last year.
Melbourne president Kate Roffey gave a stirring speech before the legends entered the arena.
“I hope this is the first of many (premierships) and we are set up for a period of sustained success,” Roffey said.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be alive by the time we raise our next flag.”
Melbourne had planned to conduct a fireworks spectacle at half-time, but “due to circumstances outside of our control” the display was cancelled.
The AFL is hoping for a crowd of about 80,000 for the first grand-final rematch in round-one since 2009, but looks likely to fall short of that mark.
Richmond and Carlton have traditionally been the opening encounter of the AFL season, but even new Blues coach Michael Voss has conceded the reigning premiers should be rewarded early in the year.
The Blues and Tigers will still play their regular Thursday night game, with the AFL moving the Demons-Bulldogs match to the unusual Wednesday night timeslot.
“I would like to keep our Thursday night, whatever happens, but I must admit, being able to open with the grand final, whether it’s just the premiers or the game itself, I think there is something good in that and we should look at in the program,” Voss said on Wednesday.
“But I will be selfish here and say I wouldn’t mind keeping the Thursday night game as well.”
© AAP
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